Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has spoken out on his side's defensive frailties ahead of their trip to Newcastle on Sunday.

The Blues have enjoyed a perfect start to the new Premier League season, picking up wins against Huddersfield and Arsenal, but fans have been concerned at a lack of defensive stability.

Despite keeping a clean sheet at Huddersfield, Chelsea shipped two soft goals against the Gunners to follow-up the pair of strikes they conceded in their Community Shield defeat to Manchester City - leading many to suggest a weakness at the back.

And Sarri has admitted that his teams generally endure problems defensively during the early months of his tenure - news which could prove a boost to Newcastle as they search for a first triumph of the season.

Sarri left Napoli to take over at Chelsea in the summer having been the Italian club's replacement for Rafa Benitez when he departed in 2015.

And the 59-year-old has praised the current Newcastle boss for his fine work in Naples, while also admitting that Benitez's side will be a tough proposition when they meet in the Premier League on Sunday (kick-off 4pm).